Gas vs PSD
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 11
It doesn't change anything. The math is on the gals used not miles. As long as there is a 4 mpg differnce its the same money differnce. To change the differnce the. Cost between the fuels has to get greater or less. The closer the fuels cost more money the higher mpg saves. The greater the differnce the less the savings. Ok I believe if fuel drops lower than gas then we don't adjust the cost on 10 gals any more. That will make the diesels savings even higher. We know the heavier the v10 gets the more it uses fuel. This is when those rpms they love really start working agaist them. Another way to change the money is get the mpg closer or farther apart or switch roles.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
I have a good friend with a 2001 7.3L 4WD Excursion with the stock 3.73's. He has a travel trailer that's very close to mine in length and design. His is aluminum skin with a single slide, mine is 'glass skin with 2 slides. They are the same profile (height and width) going down the road, but his is actually about 1000 lbs lighter. We both made the same trip last summer to South Padre Island. Both were travelling 60-65 mph, both going the same route, both going the same time of year. He got just over 10 mpg towing the trailer with his 7.3L. I got 8.5 that trip.
JL
JL
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
It doesn't change anything. The math is on the gals used not miles. As long as there is a 4 mpg differnce its the same money differnce. To change the differnce the. Cost between the fuels has to get greater or less. The closer the fuels cost more money the higher mpg saves. The greater the differnce the less the savings. Ok I believe if fuel drops lower than gas then we don't adjust the cost on 10 gals any more. That will make the diesels savings even higher. We know the heavier the v10 gets the more it uses fuel. This is when those rpms they love really start working agaist them. Another way to change the money is get the mpg closer or farther apart or switch roles.
I thing in the calcs though, I think people's diesel prices are high. I just checked here this morning and they are 3.04 for cheap gas and 3.14 for diesel, same as mid. I am in Washington state though. There are times in Idaho, just 5 miles from me, where diesel there is cheaper than gas here, due to the tax structure.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: WV
It doesn't change anything. The math is on the gals used not miles. As long as there is a 4 mpg differnce its the same money differnce. To change the differnce the. Cost between the fuels has to get greater or less. The closer the fuels cost more money the higher mpg saves. The greater the differnce the less the savings. Ok I believe if fuel drops lower than gas then we don't adjust the cost on 10 gals any more. That will make the diesels savings even higher. We know the heavier the v10 gets the more it uses fuel. This is when those rpms they love really start working agaist them. Another way to change the money is get the mpg closer or farther apart or switch roles.
Yes, a total mpg does matter. AS pointed out if you are at 5 and 1 there is a huge difference. Or if you go the other direction to cars say 40 and 44 mpg, there will be very little difference in fuel savings. In one instance you are using 500% more gas and the other 10% more.
But, I did calculate each one, so let me break the number down a little bit:
Driving 15k miles a year EMPTY getting 18 mpg for the PSD and 14 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $2408
The V10 will require $2775
Driving 15k miles a year TOWING getting 12 mpg for the PSD and 8 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4856
Both have a 4mpg difference, but empty you will save $367 over 15k miles and towing you will save $1244 over the same 15k miles. Big difference between towing and not towing.
BTW, if you recalculate the towing so the V10 gets 9mpg, it looks like this:
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4316
Saving $704 in fuel when towing 15k miles.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: WV
I thing in the calcs though, I think people's diesel prices are high. I just checked here this morning and they are 3.04 for cheap gas and 3.14 for diesel, same as mid. I am in Washington state though. There are times in Idaho, just 5 miles from me, where diesel there is cheaper than gas here, due to the tax structure.
I have been using 2.89 for diesel and 2.59 for gas only because I know some people are very close in price. The actual price this morning and most of this week is 2.99 for diesel and 2.59 for 87 gas, but I stick with the 2.89 for my calcs. I can run any number though if you want to see. Just let me know the price of each fuel, the mileage, and the estimated mpg for each that you would get in your conditions.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: WV
I know whatcha mean. I didn't know about the cost of up keep before I bought my truck. I'm not sure it would have changed my mind. I've ran the numbers every way you can to see if it pans out in the long run, b ut it never does. My brother in law has. 7.3l and he changes his on 10k miles. It still cost a couple $$ more. At very best it breaks even.
I changed the oil in the 7.3 every 5k because 95% of the miles on it where towing a 12k lb trailer. It was strictly a towing truck and nothing else, not even 4x4, it was only a 2x4.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 4
From: Rogersville, TN
My number is "actual" too, it is just using fuel prices for where I live. I even used $2.42 for gas since that is the average, even though there is a station 3 miles from me that is $2.30. Diesel ranges from $2.85 to $2.90 here. So I used the higher value for gas and lower value for diesel and still only came up with $116 in savings for the diesel.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Muncie, IN
That is very true, and the closer the diesel price gets to the gas price, the bigger advantage the diesel will have.
I have been using 2.89 for diesel and 2.59 for gas only because I know some people are very close in price. The actual price this morning and most of this week is 2.99 for diesel and 2.59 for 87 gas, but I stick with the 2.89 for my calcs. I can run any number though if you want to see. Just let me know the price of each fuel, the mileage, and the estimated mpg for each that you would get in your conditions.
I have been using 2.89 for diesel and 2.59 for gas only because I know some people are very close in price. The actual price this morning and most of this week is 2.99 for diesel and 2.59 for 87 gas, but I stick with the 2.89 for my calcs. I can run any number though if you want to see. Just let me know the price of each fuel, the mileage, and the estimated mpg for each that you would get in your conditions.
Mike
Thread Starter
|
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 8
From: Texas
I traded my 2000 7.3 with 113k miles last year for a 2010 6.8 for several reasons, one of which was the difference in fuel price and the $7500 price option for the diesel engine versus $600 for the V10. I filled up yesterday with gas @2.59 per gal and diesel at the same station was 3.15 per gal. It's normal in my area for diesel to be between 30 and 60 cents higher per gallon; using your calculations I'm wondering if I am still ahead by purchasing the gas engine instead of the diesel. My 7.3 was 2wd and averaged 17mpg in mixed driving and the 4wd 6.8 is averaging around 12 mpg. I don't put many miles on the truck as you can see by the low mileage on the 7.3; the 6.8 is 10 months old and has about 9000 miles on it so far.
Mike
Mike
Thread Starter
|
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 8
From: Texas
I traded my 2000 7.3 with 113k miles last year for a 2010 6.8 for several reasons, one of which was the difference in fuel price and the $7500 price option for the diesel engine versus $600 for the V10. I filled up yesterday with gas @2.59 per gal and diesel at the same station was 3.15 per gal. It's normal in my area for diesel to be between 30 and 60 cents higher per gallon; using your calculations I'm wondering if I am still ahead by purchasing the gas engine instead of the diesel. My 7.3 was 2wd and averaged 17mpg in mixed driving and the 4wd 6.8 is averaging around 12 mpg. I don't put many miles on the truck as you can see by the low mileage on the 7.3; the 6.8 is 10 months old and has about 9000 miles on it so far.
Mike
Mike
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I have a good friend with a 2001 7.3L 4WD Excursion with the stock 3.73's. He has a travel trailer that's very close to mine in length and design. His is aluminum skin with a single slide, mine is 'glass skin with 2 slides. They are the same profile (height and width) going down the road, but his is actually about 1000 lbs lighter. We both made the same trip last summer to South Padre Island. Both were travelling 60-65 mph, both going the same route, both going the same time of year. He got just over 10 mpg towing the trailer with his 7.3L. I got 8.5 that trip.
JL
JL
1. -1.5 gallons difference is 17% mileage.
2. What is "just over"? Could it make additional 2%?
3. What speed was it exactly? My truck will save about 15% of fuel if I slow down from 65 to 60 mph. So if he was going at 65, you at 60 that might be additional 15% difference.
4. Just because you drove at the same, or similar speed, doesn't mean you averaged the same. If you crawl the hills and he zoomed at 65 mph, that could easy make up to 20% difference in driving time.
Bottom line -doing possible adjustments in the basic data we might come to 30-40% fuel consumption difference. Or looking the other way the same mpg.
I don't even bother to consider such calculations unless they are on long distance trips and I know total driving times on the same distance.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Muncie, IN
Mike
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 11
Yes, a total mpg does matter. AS pointed out if you are at 5 and 1 there is a huge difference. Or if you go the other direction to cars say 40 and 44 mpg, there will be very little difference in fuel savings. In one instance you are using 500% more gas and the other 10% more.
But, I did calculate each one, so let me break the number down a little bit:
Driving 15k miles a year EMPTY getting 18 mpg for the PSD and 14 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $2408
The V10 will require $2775
Driving 15k miles a year TOWING getting 12 mpg for the PSD and 8 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4856
Both have a 4mpg difference, but empty you will save $367 over 15k miles and towing you will save $1244 over the same 15k miles. Big difference between towing and not towing.
BTW, if you recalculate the towing so the V10 gets 9mpg, it looks like this:
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4316
Saving $704 in fuel when towing 15k miles.
But, I did calculate each one, so let me break the number down a little bit:
Driving 15k miles a year EMPTY getting 18 mpg for the PSD and 14 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $2408
The V10 will require $2775
Driving 15k miles a year TOWING getting 12 mpg for the PSD and 8 for the V10 and diesel at 2.89 and gas at 2.59,
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4856
Both have a 4mpg difference, but empty you will save $367 over 15k miles and towing you will save $1244 over the same 15k miles. Big difference between towing and not towing.
BTW, if you recalculate the towing so the V10 gets 9mpg, it looks like this:
The PSD will require $3612
The V10 will require $4316
Saving $704 in fuel when towing 15k miles.